What's Going On? Understanding the Split over Israel b/w Tucker, Candace, Ben, and TPUSA
Breaking it down simply and succinctly.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” - An Ancient Proverb
The country that is situated anywhere immediately on the circumference of the conquered territory is termed the enemy. The country who is likewise situated close to the enemy, but separated from the conqueroring county by only the enemy, is termed the friend of the conqueror. — Kautilya, Arthasastra (On State Craft),
On April 15, 1051 BC, when the Hebrew people crowned Saul as their king ‘before YHWH’ during the Passover festival, Israel became a nation-state.
On August 2, AD 70 (the 9th of Tishri on the Jewish calendar), Roman soldiers tore down the walls of the Jewish Temple, destroyed the city of Jerusalem, scattered the Jews (diaspora) throughout the Roman Empire, and Israel ceased being a nation-state.
On May 14, AD 1948 (Jewish Independence Day), Israel became (again) a nation-state (after over 18 centuries of absence), when the United States recognized ‘the State of Israel’ almost six months after the United Nations approved Resolution 181, paving the way for the re-establishment of the nation-state of Israel.
Around 700 years after Rome destroyed the nation-state of Israel in AD 70, forcibly removing the Jews from their land, Muslim Arabs began migrating to the land of Israel (Eretz Ysrael).
The Romans, cursing the conquered Jews forever, renamed Israel’s land as Palestine, the Latin form of Philistines. The Romans desired to honor the ancient GREEK sea-farers, the great enemies of Israel, at the same time they scattered the Jews.
Palestine is a Roman name for the land of Israel.
There is no such thing as a Palestinian in history. The ancient Philistines were of Greek origin. When the Hebrews defeated them under King Saul (1051 to 1011 BC) and King David (1011 to 971 BC), the Philistines went back to Greece.
Modern-day Arabs who call themselves ‘Palestinians’ are from different Arab nation-states. They migrated to Israel around 700 AD and falsely claimed Palestine as their own because the original owners were forcibly scattered.
Again, the ancient Philistines were Greek, not Arab, and this is proven scientifically.
‘Nuff History: Now To the Conservative Conflict
The modern division among political conservatives in the USA over Israel stems entirely from disagreement over whether the modern Jewish state of Israel is the sole beacon of liberty in the volatile Levant.
The question is simple: Does Israel seek freedom for people like the Druze, Kurds, and Persians who’ve endured centuries of oppression from Arab Muslim clerics?
How you answer that question places you in one of five categories.
Some are AMERICA first politically, and against Israel (Candace and Tucker).
Some are ISRAEL first politically, but FOR AMERICA. (Ben Shapiro).
Some are AMERICA first politically, and ISRAEL first theologically (TPUSA).
Some are AMERICA first politically, CHURCH first theologically, but support ISRAEL for political reasons, not theological ones (Wade Burleson and others).
Some are AMERICA first politically, ATHEISTS theologically, and support ISRAEL for political reasons, not theological ones (Walter Block and others).
Categories 3, 4, and 5 are friends when it comes to support of the nation-state of Israel
My New Atheist Friend (In Support of Israel)
My long-time friend, Lee Enoch, recently introduced me to Dr. Walter Block.
I’ve been on Lee’s podcast twice (see last week’s podcast embedded below).
Dr. Block and I will soon join Lee Enochs for a special podcast covering Israel.
Dr. Walter Block is an atheist, a brilliant economist, a Jewish supporter of Israel, and the author of The Classical Liberal Case for Israel. Dr. Block advocates supporting the modern nation-state of Israel solely based on liberty, not on biblical eschatology (end times).
Dr. Block and I agree on our support of the nation-state of Israel.
Unlike evangelical Christians who think that the nation-state of Israel is God’s chosen nation out of all other countries, Dr. Block, a Jew himself, supports Israel for the same reason that I, an evangelical Christian, support Israel.
ISRAEL IS THE BASTION OF LIBERTY IN THE LEVANT OF TYRANNY.
Dr. Block’s book, The Classical Case for Israel, has a foreword from Bibi (Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel). Bibi writes:
The Classical Liberal Case for Israel makes the practical and moral case for Israel. It is based on truths and facts that need to be repeated over and over. Block & Futerman understand that the only way to defeat a big lie is with a big truth.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Jerusalem, Israel
Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens Believe Israel Doesn’t Deserve America’s Support
Candace Owens is Catholic, and Tucker Carlson is Episcopalian. They both come from a faith tradition that teaches the nation of Israel does not maintain its ‘chosen nation status’ with God.
In fact, Tucker debated Senator Ted Cruz on this very issue.
Senator Cruz, raised by a father who was an evangelical, dispensational Baptist, believes (like many Christians and members of TPUSA) that God restored the nation of Israel in 1948, will help them rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, and that Jesus Christ will return to earth at His ‘Second Coming’ in Jerusalem, following seven years of tribulation on earth.
Some evangelical Christians teach that turning one’s back on Israel is turning against God.
Tucker and Candace do not believe this. They believe that America is wrongly being led by Zionists, even American citizens, who put Israel before America.
And they argue that Charlie Kirk ‘had his eyes opened’ to Israeli influence in American politics. Candace is now going online promoting the conspiracy that Mossad (Israel’s intelligence agency) had Charlie killed.
I think it’s ludicrous to say Israeli government officials had Charlie Kirk killed.
I believe Israel is worthy of America’s support, but not for the typical reasons given by evangelicals.
The True ISRAEL Is Those ‘In Christ’ (I Peter 2:9)
I teach that ‘the special nation status’ for Israel ended in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the destruction of ‘The Jewish Temple' forty years later (AD 70).
This teaching leads some evangelicals, charismatics, Messianic Jews, Southern Baptists, and Assembly of God brothers and sisters in Christ to get really upset.
But it’s their lack of understanding of how the Old Agreement with Israel (portrayed in the Old Testament), was abrogated by GOD due to the nation of Israel’s unfaithfulness, but through the Jews and His Messiah, God’s New Agreement with the entire world was unveiled (as revealed in the New Testament), that leads some evangelicals to say ‘not supporting Israel is akin to not supporting God.’
I do not believe the nation-state of Israel has special ‘nation-status with God’ any longer.
But I support the state of Israel because it seeks freedom for people like the Druze, Kurds, and Persians who’ve endured centuries of oppression from Muslim clerics.
Israel: The Classical Liberal Case for Support
The above book by Walter E. Block and Alan G. Futerman uses ‘classical liberalism’ (think: ideas like individual freedom, private property, and limited government, inspired by thinkers like John Locke) to explain why Israel deserves support.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the main principles, drawn from the book’s core ideas:
1. Israel’s Right to the Land Via Homesteading and Property Rules
The authors argue that Jews have a strong claim to Israel (especially Judea) because their ancestors worked the land for thousands of years, “homesteading” it (mixing their labor with the soil to own it fairly). This fits classical liberal rules: no one owns unused land forever; you earn it by improving it. They say this beats other claims, such as those of Arabs who arrived later or of rulers who conquered without building much. It’s like saying, ‘If you farm and build on empty land, it’s yours—not the bully who shows up later.’
2. Zionism as a Freedom Movement
Zionism (the push for a Jewish homeland) isn’t about kicking people out—it’s about Jews escaping persecution and creating a free society. The book sees it as a liberal project: self-determination for a group that’s been oppressed, much like other nations fighting for independence. Israel became a “startup nation” through free-market reforms, proving that capitalism and innovation thrive when people are free.
3. History Isn’t a ‘Fiction Factory’ - Facts Over Myths
Anti-Israel stories (like ‘Jews stole the land’ or ‘Palestinians were always there peacefully’) are distortions, the authors claim. Using real records, they show Jews bought land legally, Arabs often sold it willingly, and wars started by Arab attacks forced tough choices. Classical liberals value truth and evidence, so repeating facts counters propaganda. They link fake history to bias, including how anti-Zionism slides into anti-Semitism (hating Jews as a people).
4. Peace Means Real Security, Not Endless Talks
’Peace processes’ often fail because they ignore Israel’s need to defend itself, like giving land to groups that vow to destroy it. The principle here: Liberals support self-defense as a fundamental right (your property, your rules). Israel wins wars fairly (defending, not starting most) and offers peace deals that Arabs reject. True peace comes from strength and justice, not weakness.
5. Anti-Zionism and BDS Are Unliberal and Wrong
Movements like Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) pretend to be about justice but violate liberal values: they punish free trade, ignore facts, and target one side unfairly. The book critiques “liberal” anti-Zionists (even some libertarians) for bad logic, like ignoring property rights or excusing violence. Instead, Israel shines as a diverse, innovative democracy in a tough neighborhood—women, LGBTQ+ rights, elections—that embodies liberty.
6. Israel as a Model for Human Flourishing
Overall, the big idea: Israel proves classical liberalism works in the real world. From socialist struggles to a booming tech economy (thanks to market reforms), it’s a story of people overcoming odds through freedom, property, and innovation. Every liberty lover should cheer it, not bash it—the authors say lies about Israel hurt the cause of freedom everywhere.
In short, Block’s book boils down to these facts: Israel isn’t perfect, but by liberal standards (proper truth, self-defense, markets), it’s has the moral high ground.
I find it amazing that a lover of Jesus Christ and the sacred Scriptures can find common ground in support of the nation of Israel with an atheist Jew.
I encourage you to think critically about Israel and follow ideals, not individuals.
Magnificent article, Wade. Best I've ever read on this complex subject, including that you have enfolded the recent disputations between a bunch of folks with whom I usually agree. You have unpacked all of this with remarkable pith and clarity. Thank you for theologically, politically, and logically working through the subject with Christian charity and sensibility, and mind of Christ nuance and perception. I'm with you across the board in the #4 category (with the caveat as you know that I believe non-boots-on-the-ground support of Ukraine as Putin attempts to resurrect the Russian Empire over the flesh and bones of women and children is actually an America First position). Are you saying that Charlie was in the #3 category? Like you, I don't believe our position is "Replacement" theology as our Dispensational friends sometimes accuse, but "Expansion" theology! Most of our biblical heroes are Israelite and Jewish! I recommend O. Palmer Robertson's classic "The Israel of God," which you may well have read. Keep bowing low and looking high, mighty brother!